Double Major, Graduate Program, or Graduating Early (Computer Science)

Student Lounge College Life
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<p>Hi!</p>

<p>I am a Sophomore Computer Science major at a mid-tier university in a really booming technology-focused area that I plan on staying in after graduation. I came in with a lot of credits, so I have the option of graduating in 3 years without overloading my schedule. To show how light my schedule would be, I'd only be taking the minimum amount of units all of my Junior/Graduating year. My school offers a 4+1 Master's in CS program, which I could down to a 3 + 1 program. I come from a broke family, so graduating early means less $$$ on tuition and more $$$ into helping my family.</p>

<p>Now that the background has been set , here is my question: Should I double major, join the Master's program, or graduate early? Here are my thought processes for the three options.</p>

<p>Double Major:
If I were to double major in anything, I would first have to factor in if the major would fit and allow me to graduate in 4 years. My top choice would've been business, but that requires more credits than I have available to spare. I would minor in business, but that would require me to stay an extra semester.</p>

<p>I would probably double major in something not directly geared towards tech, but something that would give me a more expansive skill set and a different perspective that I could apply as a software engineer. I was think public policy, politics, communications, advertising, economics or graphic design.</p>

<p>Graduate Program:
My school offers a 4+1 BS+MS in CS degree, which I could cut down to 3 + 1 degree, thus graduating "on time". I don't know what I'd do with a Master's Degree. I just know it looks nice and would potentially give me a better salary in the long run. I have looked at the curriculum for the Master's program and they do offer courses in topics/concepts that I am certainly interested in tough. I think of this as a great opportunity because the traditional Master's Degree takes two years.</p>

<p>Graduate Early:
I could always just graduate college in 3 years. Plain and simple. Some of the arguments that I've heard against doing this is that you lose out on the college experience. However, I plan to stay in the area that I go to school in and stay in the same apartment I'd be living in as a undergrad, and also housing with my current roommates/friends. Basically I'd had the college life without actually having to attend class, and with a job/internship. I understand that there will definitely be conflicts between my friends who will still be in college while I'm not, but I'm certain that we can roll those kinks out as they happen.</p>

<p>Another incentive of graduating early is that I come from a really poor family, and I want to be able to give back to them all they've given to me tenfold as soon as possible.</p>

<p>So, collegeconfidential, what do you think?</p>

<p>Thank you and I hope all of you have are having a great summer!!! (or school year, if you're currently in school. Gotta be globally cognizant.)</p>

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<p>I would graduate early because the job market is so hot for CS major right now. Trying to land a job first, most employers pay for MS degree. Plus you can always get an MS degree at a much higher ranking institution then your undergraduate, for example if you are in the Bay Area you can get a MS at Stanford. It’s much easier at the MS level. My daughter’s college offer the same thing and she did ask me similar question and I gave the same advice. But she would take 45 years and not 4 years for MS. Your post states that your family is really poor, I would definitely lean toward graduating early If I were you.</p>

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<p>

Usually a waste of time, stress, and a possible dive in GPA. If you want extra skills, go learn them on your free time (Photoshop, design, languages your school didn’t teach you, etc). No one wants business majors or political science majors in a tech company.</p>

<p>

You said mid-tier college, so it’s a waste of time and possibly money. Go to a top or good tier grad school. Unless it has at least a semi recognizable name in CS, it’s not worth it. Don’t get me wrong, some of the best CS jobs require a MS, but do that after you work and have money.</p>

<p>

Good choice. Who cares about the college experience? Only do this if you have a job or internship lined up. As long as you have experience and actually do stuff with the “extra time” you get from graduating early, it’s a really good option.</p>

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<p>If money is an issue, I’d recommend graduating early.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the input, everyone!:)</p>

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<p>Note that if graduating in 3 years is too limiting in terms of course scheduling (i.e. you would not be able to fit in all of the courses you consider important), you can still consider graduating in 3.5 years.</p>